Dev leaned back, crossing one leg over the other with the slow grace of someone who owned the room.
“Well,” he murmured, knife glinting between his fingers again,
“this is the best feelings circle I’ve ever been to.”
Chapter 19
Dev
New girl was pissed.
She stormed out of the session with her fists clenched so tightly, she looked like she wanted to punch someone. I followed her out.
“Seph-“
“What?” she growled, spinning around, I paused. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Sorry. I just - I really hate guys like that.”
“Fair enough.” I said calmly.
Jess stepped toward us.
“Seph, I’m heading to the craft room. Do you want to come?” she asked quietly, flicking a glance between me and Seph like she was assessing a live grenade.
She didn’t trust me.
Good. She shouldn’t.
Click.
Her lighter rolled between her fingers — a nervous tic and a threat all at once.
“We have a craft room?” Seph asked, something in her face softening.
“We do,” I said. “Paint, crayons… nothing lethal, unfortunately.”
“Beads?”
“Maybe.” I shrugged.
For a heartbeat, she looked hopeful. Really hopeful. Then she rubbed her eyes and blinked it away like wanting soft things was something she wasn’t allowed.
“Maybe later, okay? Right now I think I need some air.”
Jess hesitated, eyes narrowing at me. She flicked the lighter again, thumb hovering.
Her fingers stilled on the metal — Jess’s version of a warning.
“I’m not going to hurt her, Jess. I’ll stay with her.”
Jess looked at Seph, clearly expecting her to argue.
But Seph just smiled.
“I’ll be fine. Dev is nice to me.”
“Nice?” I repeated, disgusted. “No one has ever called me nice.”
